1st Class- Origins of the Cold War

In this class our teacher prepared a PPT, showing us the plans, speeches and doctrines that increased tensions in Europe between 1945-1949.

What happened after the conferences Yalta and Postdam (1945)?

There where a series of disgreements between two superpowers: USA and the USSR, over Europe. Moreover, the developing nuclear arms race lead to growing tensions. 

Baruch Plan - 1946

It was a proposal by the US government to the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission (UNAEC). The United States, Great Britain and Canada called for an international organization to regulate atomic energy and as a response Truman build a plan.

The plan was for: 1) Extend the exchange of basic scientific information for peaceful purposes.

                             2) Implement control of nuclear power for peaceful purposes.

                             3) Eliminate, from national armaments, weapons adaptable to mass destruction.
                             4) Establish safeguards.

Salami Tactics - 1946

USSR foreign policies to increase their political control in Eastern Europe. 

Step 2: George Kennan's Long Telegram- February 1946.

It proposed a new approach to US- Soviet relations and defined the terms of the Cold War.

Step3: Churchill's Curtain Speech- March 1946.

President Churchill stated that the world was now divided in two, as the USSR made a communist frontier, barrier between the West and East. 

Truman Doctrine- March 1947

It became the foundation of the president's foreign policy and placed the U.S in the role of global policeman, supporting democracy.

Marshall Plan- June 1947

It was basically the European Recovery Program (ERP), in which USA gave economic support to help rebuild European economy.

Molotov Plan- July 1947

Was a response of the Soviet minister, Molotov, to the Marshall Plan and the Truman doctine, in order to provide aid to rebuild the countries in Eastern Europe. 

• Comecom was established in 1949, to ease economic development in eastern European countries that belonged to the Soviet bloc.

Tensions increased ( 1947- 1949)

1. Red Army ocuppied eastern Europe: creation of the concept 'satellite state', countries that support the Soviet regime.
2. "Mr. X" Article by George Kennan (1947): to contain USSR sphere in Europe.
3. Czechoslovakia coup d' état (1948): Communist Party of Czechoslovakia assumed total control over the Czechoslovakian government.
4. Treaty of Brussels (17 March 1948): contained a mutual defense clause.
5. Creation of Bizonia and Trizonia (1947- 1948): economic integration of British and US zones (Bizonia). And economic integration of French and Bizonia (Trizonia).